Long Beach Embezzlement Defense Lawyer

Embezzlement is a serious crime that can result in time behind bars and expensive fines. You could lose years of your life in prison and have trouble rebuilding your life once you get out. But with the help of an experienced attorney, you could potentially get your embezzlement charges reduced or dropped and have much more to look forward to in the future.

If you’ve been charged with embezzlement, the Long Beach embezzlement attorneys at the Law Offices of Robin D. Perry & Associates are here for you. For over two decades, we’ve been representing clients in Long Beach and Los Angeles. You can give us a call at 562-216-2944 to schedule your consultation today and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

What Is Embezzlement?

Embezzlement, also called employee or workplace theft, is a white-collar crime and a form of theft. Essentially, it involves taking and misappropriating someone else’s funds. Typically, employees are charged with embezzlement, but it could apply to anyone.

To establish embezzlement, the prosecutor has to show:

• The two parties had established a fiduciary relationship, and that one was reliant on the other.
• The defendant received the money through the relationship.
• The defendant decided to take ownership of the money or give it to someone else.
• The defendant intended to do it and it was not a mistake.

Prosecutors crack down on embezzlement and punish those charged with this crime to the fullest extent of the law. This is because embezzlement can ruin many people’s lives. Usually, it occurs on a corporate level, but it can happen on a small business or nonprofit level as well. If someone is caught embezzling thousands or millions of dollars, the company’s founders could go bankrupt, the employees might have to be laid off, and the company or nonprofit itself could have to dissolve.

On the lowest level, embezzlement could involve a secretary lying about how much office supplies are costing and pocketing the extra money for themselves, or on a much higher level, it could involve a corporate board member transferring company money into their own bank account.

Charges for Embezzlement in California

California classifies embezzlement as petty theft or grand theft depending on how much money the defendant allegedly stole. If they took less than $950, then they could get charged with a misdemeanor, which means they’d serve up to six months in jail and pay court fines. If the amount they stole is more than $950, then it becomes a “wobbler” offense and it could remain a misdemeanor or be increased to a felony charge. If it’s a felony charge, they may have to go to prison for up to three years. If the amount was more than $65,000, then they might have to serve an additional year in prison. If it was more than $3,200,000, they could have to spend four additional years in prison. If it were a Federal offense, Federal Sentencing Guidelines would influence any sentence.

No matter what types of charges you’re facing, your Long Beach embezzlement attorney will attempt to get them reduced where you plead guilty in exchange for a lesser sentencing. You could also choose to take your case to trial. We have successfully tried hundreds of cases, though trials are expensive and risky. Plea deals spare all sides time, money, and anxiety.

Defenses for Embezzlement

When you consult with your Long Beach embezzlement attorney, you’ll figure out the best strategy to fight these charges. It all depends on the details you tell your representation and how much evidence you have to support your case.

For instance, you could claim that you did not intend to embezzle the money and you made a mistake. Or you could claim that you didn’t know you weren’t allowed to use the money. If you say you were under duress when you embezzled the money, that could be a valid defense, too. For instance, your boss might have threatened to fire you if you didn’t embezzle the funds. If you paid back the funds, it could lead to your charges being reduced or dropped

Your Long Beach embezzlement attorney will explore all of the defenses with you to see if they apply to your situation. Keep in mind that if the police fumbled your arrest at all – perhaps they forgot to read you your Miranda rights, for example – then that could also get your case thrown out.

Contact Us Now

If you’ve been charged with embezzlement, then get in touch with the Los Angeles and Long Beach embezzlement attorneys at the Law Offices of Robin D. Perry & Associates. You can call us at 562-216-2944 or contact us on our website. We look forward to helping you with your case.